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What It Felt Like To Be Front Row At A Låpsley Show

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A few weeks ago, I got an email and I found out that I was approved for one Canadian Music Week media pass. And since I’m never ever certain of anything until it really happens, I was nervous. This seemed too insane to me. So when I finally went and picked up my media pass in downtown Toronto, I was still nervous.

And when I actually got the media pass, I was shocked and happy, but this didn’t stop me from still being nervous. Because even though I had the pass, I still thought if I went to a concert, I would be told this doesn’t work. And when the day finally came to see my first show for Canadian Music Week, I was scared.

Now since I had a few weeks to gather my thoughts for the festival, I decided to see Låpsley, making her the first show that I would be going to. If you don’t know who she is, she’s a singer/songwriter from London and just recently dropped her debut album, “Long Way Home.”

I blogged about her in a piece called, “5 Artists To Check Out : UK Edition.” So I was kind of happy that I would be seeing someone I blogged about. Now when I finally arrived at the Mod Club to see Låpsley, I was pretty skeptical.

When I got to the venue, I didn’t know if I could just skip the line because I had a pass or I had to stay in line with everyone else. I was in shambles. I didn’t know what to do. Luckily for me there was a sign.

The sign said, “CMW Wrist Bands.” So I skipped the major line and went straight there. And once the security guard let me in, I realized I was worried for nothing. This is just the kind of person I am.

Now I could talk about the opening act, but honestly they were pretty forgetful. The bands name was “Morly” and I mean they were’t terrible, but they just didn’t click with me. I mean, the girl said, “I’m happy to be in Vancouver” and later realized that she was in Toronto. That was the nail in the coffin for me and I know, opening acts are important and it’s how small bands/artists get bigger, but sometimes you just want to see who you came to see.

Besides, I came to see Låpsley and I managed to be front row.

And being front row was weird. I was insanely close to the stage to the point where Låpsley seemed like a giant to me. I had to look up at her. Recording videos had to be from a specific angle or it wouldn’t have been great, but I managed.

And her being that close to me wasn’t a bad thing because her vocals had me hooked the entire time. There was a surreal moment when she played, “Falling Short.” This was the song that I had blogged about her on December 2014 in the piece that I was talking about earlier and to hear it live, in 2016, It was a moment.

Its like that moment when you see your favourite sports team win in overtime or ordering a meal at a restaurant and it being made exactly how you wanted it to be made. It was truly a priceless moment. I never managed to get a ticket for Adele’s show this year, but Låpsley made me feel like she was the female artist from Britain that I really needed to see this year.

And she’s only 19. The weird thing is, being front row in a movie theatre is terrible because you’re so close and the screen is so big, so the experience isn’t all that great, but being really close to Låpsley was a blessing and it really made the show.

Now I’m going to be honest and say that the only Låpsley song that I knew heading into this concert was, “Falling Short” but her closing song, “Hurt Me” left the biggest impression on me.

I just love really emotional songs. The songs that really connect with you. The songs that are so good that there’s no words to explain what you’re feeling. And I could tell right off the bat “Hurt Me” was that song. And the audience reaction to the song confirmed that for me.

And as I left the concert, I realized I really experienced something special. There’s not too many 19 year olds doing what Låpsley is doing and to see it up close, it was incredible and inspiring. I can really tell from seeing her at the Mod Club that she’s only going to get bigger and brighter from here.

MY MOTTO IS: IF YOU WANNA WIN THE LOTTERY, YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE MONEY TO BUY A TICKET!